Spring-seat structure



May 11 1926. 1,583,953

L. BLACKMORE ET AL SPRING SEAT S TRUCTURE Filed July 12. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5?? j Q anvewfoz 240/0 345mm! :2 5D E4 66 551 Held. abbo'cme [e A a L. BLACKMQRE ET AL SPRING SEAT STRUCTURE Filed July 12. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vwemboz ww ELM/(Mon a kw I W Gum? fl Vasua Patented May 11, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,583,953 PATENT OFFICE.

LLOYD BLACKMORE, OF HIGHLAND PARK, AND FRET) A. VOELKE, OF DETROIT, MICHI- GAN, ASSIGNORS TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SPRING-SEAT STRUCTURE.

Application filed July 12, 1923. Serial Na. 651,108.

This invention relates to seat springs, such as are used in motor vehicles, and has for an object the provision of a simple construction made up of wire and sheet metal in a manner which gives a'maximum of strengtl'i and resistance with a minimum cost for material.

In one arrangement, a plurality of coil springs are arranged in transverse rows, each row being supported by side members (shown-as channeled to embrace the coils of the springs), which are arranged to interlock with an outwardly bent flange of an outer frame member to provide a very strong 16 joint in a simple manner. Preferably the outer frame is made up intwo halves, which halves are held together by those of the cross members which come at the ends and which are arranged to bridge the joints be- 2' tween the ends of the half-frame members.

A further object of the invention relates to an improved method of manufacturing springs of this type by arranging the rows of coil springs as sub-assemblies, each of 2 which sub-assemblies is held together by cross frame members on opposite sides, preferably in the form of channel pieces embracing coils of the springs, and then bending the ends of the cross frame members to 80 interlock with an outwardly bent flange on the outer frame. I This method of making up the seat spring makes it possible to'make up the half-frame members and the sub-assemblies of the springs in advance in large "*quantities, and then to make up the seat sprnigs themselves as they are required, inasmuch as the final step of assembling each complete spring is capable of beinlg1 carried outrapidly and yet in a mannerw ich provides a very rigid construction.

Other objects and features of the invention, including a novel construction by whichthere is a diagonal resilient brace between the upper and lower frame members of the spring, and other a novel combinations of parts and desirable part-iculanconstructions, w ill be apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a seat spring, but with only part of the coil springs m place; v t

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the completespring construction; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the interlocking relationship of the various parts as described above.

In the illustratedembodiment shown in the drawings there are two half-frame members 10 and 12, whichin ,thecompleted assembly of the sprin construction are arranged with their en s in abutting relationship. These half-frame members are connected by a plurality of sub-assemblies,- each comprising a row of coil springs 14 held together by side frame members. 16. Each of i the side frame members is preferably of channel form, the" channel embracing the edges of the coils of the springs and being crimped to hold the coils firmly as shown at 18 in' Figure 3. A considerable number of these sub-assemblies, each consisting of two side frame members 16 with the coil springs carried thereby, is preferably made up in advance and in the step of finally assembling the spring construction these sub-assemblies are arranged transversely of the outer frame made of the members 10 and 12 and rigidly interlocked therewith by flattening the ends of the side frame members 16 as shown at 20 and bending them to hook over and interldck with outwardly bent flanges 22 formed on the outer frame members 10 and 12. The flanges 22 and the fiattened hook portions 20 of the cross members are finally crimped securely in place as shown at 24:, in Figpre 3, thus forming a very strong joint wit out the use of separate fastenmgs.

In making up the complete spring structure asdescribed, the frame members 16 at opposite ends of the outer frame 10-12 are 1 arranged to brid e the joints between the abutting ends of t 'e members 10 and 12 and are secured to both of the half-frame members, as for example .by the use of sheet metal clips'26 (Figure 3) which may be separate pieces, but which are shown as being integral with the half-frame members 10 and. 12. This provides a rigid end construction for the outer frame without necessitating welding or otherwise directly connecting the ends of the half frame members The upper frame 30, which is yleldingly supported from the bottom frame 10-12 by the coil springs 14, to which it is attached when the seat spring is supporting a load and to resist such depressionby their resilience. This provides additional support for the extreme front edge of the top frame 30 which it is extremely diflicult' to support ad equately by the use of coil springs alone.

The springs 14 of each series may, if desired, be connected at their tops by wire loops or ties 38. Intermediate the tops and bottoms of these springs they may also be connected, if desired, by-sheet metal channel members 40 crimped to grasp the wire coils.

While one desirable construction has been illustrated, and the method of making it has been described, it is not our intention to limit the scope of our invention to that particular construction or method or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims. v

We claim:

1. A spring construction comprising, in combination, a pair of outer frame members arranged with their ends i abutting relation, and spring supporting cross members arranged to bridge the joints between said abutting ends at opposite ends of the frame and connected to both of the frame members to form joints therebetween.

2; A spring construction comprising, in combination, a pair of half-frame members arranged with their ends in abutting relation to form an encircling frame, a row of a coil springs across each end of said frame, and a sheet metal member at each end of the frame construction arranged to support the corresponding row of springs and arranged to bridge the joint between the ends of the half-frame members and connected to both of said half-frame members to form a joint therebetween.

3. An end construction for a spring frame comprising abutting frame members, an inwardly opening spring-embracing channel member bridging the joint between said frame members, and sheet metal clips bent to hold the channel member and secured to both of the frame members to form a joint therebetween.

LLOYD BLACKMORE. FRED A. VOELKE. 

